Fargo, N.D. – While supporting the move to create a remote workstation for police in south Fargo, the mayor of Fargo is raising concerns about the way the plan was communicated to the City Commission.
The idea, which was requested by Police Chief David Zibolski and added to the August 18th City Commission consent agenda, called for creation of a workstation at a Scheels on 45th Street South.
The item was then pulled out of the consent agenda and placed on the regular agenda for debate, and narrowly passed by a 3-2 vote.
During that debate, City Commissioner Michele Turnberg questioned why other businesses were not considered as a possible location.
Mayor Dr. Tim Mahoney says the proposal was worked on for a year, but acknowledged the problem with the sudden nature of the plan’s revelation by Zibolski to city leaders.
“It was a surprise to many of us that this had come to fruition and was ready to go,” Mahoney told The Flag on Wednesday. “Normally, we feel like you should have communicated that sooner.”
Listen: Mayor Tim Mahoney on The Flag
Mahoney said Zibolski was told during a weekly meeting to “communicate better so the commissioners aren’t surprised.”
“I think sometimes this is not high on his radar but it’s a high profile thing in the community and you have to start to tell the people,” said Mahoney.
Mahoney also left the option open for other businesses to host a remote police workstation.
“We actually looked at a variety of different locations,” said Mahoney. “This is our first one to trial. If there’s some other businesses that want to do that [type of workstation], we would look at that.”
Mahoney also suggested that a “rather good size” police substation could also be constructed on land near Fire Department Station #8.
